The M23 derby returns to Selhurst Park this Saturday as Crystal Palace and Brighton find themselves entangled in another chapter of their fierce rivalry. With 45 miles separating the clubs and no shared city boundaries, traditional footballing logic would suggest minimal animosity – but try telling that to the fans who circle this fixture on their calendars with religious devotion.
Palace enter this clash with confidence following their 3-1 victory at the Amex last December, while Brighton will be determined to avenge that defeat and improve their standing in the league table.
Key Details
- Date: Saturday, April 5, 2025
- Kick-off: 15:00 (UK Time)
- Venue: Selhurst Park, London
Current Form
Crystal Palace’s Season
Oliver Glasner’s Eagles currently sit 12th in the table with 40 points from 29 matches, showing both promising performances and occasional struggles throughout the season. Their mid-table position reflects a solid campaign, consistent with their performance in the previous seasons.
Jean-Philippe Mateta has been the standout performer for Palace, with his 12-goal haul making him the team’s undisputed attacking leader. Behind him, Eberechi Eze has provided creativity with six assists, offering the technical quality that complements Palace’s more direct approach.
Defensively, Daniel Muñoz has been exceptional, with a tally of 94 tackles making him Crystal Palace’s defensive standout. The Eagles rank third in the Premier League for total tackles, behind only Manchester United and Wolves. The Colombian has quickly adapted to the Premier League’s physical demands while maintaining his technical quality.
Their recent form – with a 4-1 dismantling of Aston Villa and a 2-0 victory at Fulham – suggests Palace are finding rhythm at a time when seasons are defined, though the 1-2 home defeat to Everton is still a reminder of their vulnerability.
Brighton’s Season
Fabian Hürzeler’s Seagulls have impressed this season, sitting 8th in the table with 47 points from 30 matches. The youngest manager in Premier League history has maintained Brighton’s attractive playing style while improving their effectiveness in the final third.
João Pedro has been crucial to Brighton’s attacking threat with eight goals this season, while Kaoru Mitoma has contributed seven goals with his impressive dribbling ability. Defensively, Jan Paul van Hecke has developed into a reliable presence at the heart of Brighton’s backline, supporting their possession-based approach.
The recent acquisition of 18-year-old winger Tom Watson from Sunderland – a signing made with characteristic foresight – is another example of Brighton’s long-term planning, though the teenager won’t feature until next season.
Crystal Palace vs Brighton: Recent Head-to-Head Meetings
Date | Competition | Result |
December 15, 2024 | Premier League | Brighton 1-3 Crystal Palace |
February 3, 2024 | Premier League | Brighton 4-1 Crystal Palace |
December 21, 2023 | Premier League | Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton |
March 15, 2023 | Premier League | Brighton 1-0 Crystal Palace |
February 11, 2023 | Premier League | Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton |
The symmetry of their all-time record is almost poetic – from 15 encounters in the Premier League, both teams have claimed four victories each, with seven draws completing the picture. It’s as if the footballing gods themselves demand parity in this most balanced of rivalries.
Palace’s December victory at the Amex marked their first win on Brighton soil since February 2021, a result that injected momentum into their season while temporarily derailing Brighton’s European aspirations. That recent success will give Palace confidence, while Brighton will be motivated to even the score this season.
Statistical Insights & Facts
- Crystal Palace average 1.28 goals per match compared to Brighton’s 1.6
- Brighton have created 2.07 chances per match this season versus Palace’s 2.1
- Palace have kept 9 clean sheets this season while Brighton have managed 7
- The Eagles have won just 1 home match against Brighton in the Premier League – their other 3 wins were all on Brighton’s soil
- Both teams have maintained similar defensive records (Palace conceding 1.17 goals per game, Brighton 1.5)
- Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta (12 goals) is the highest scorer across both teams, with Brighton’s Joao Pedro (8 goals) and Kaoru Mitoma (7 goals) right behind him
Premier League | Crystal Palace vs Brighton: Odds
7bet provides the following odds for the next Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Brighton.
Market | Selection | Odds |
1X2 | Crystal Palace | 10/7 |
Draw | 5/2 | |
Brighton | 11/6 | |
First Goal | Crystal Palace | 6/7 |
No Goal | 13/1 | |
Brighton | 1/1 | |
Double Chance | Crystal Palace or Draw | 2/5 |
Crystal Palace or Brighton | 3/10 | |
Draw or Brighton | 13/25 | |
Both Teams to Score | Yes | 5/8 |
No | 5/4 | |
Draw No Bet | Crystal Palace | 20/27 |
Brighton | 1/1 |
Please note that these odds are accurate at the time of publishing. Make sure to check the latest odds before placing your bet.
The Match-Up
Saturday’s match presents an interesting tactical contest between two mid-table sides with different strengths. Palace will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage and continue the form that saw them beat Brighton 3-1 in December.
Mateta’s goal-scoring ability will be crucial for Palace’s attacking threat, with his 12 goals this season making him the standout forward in this fixture. Brighton will rely on their technical quality in midfield and the attacking contributions of João Pedro and Mitoma to create scoring opportunities.
The Selhurst Park atmosphere will play its part, with the home crowd particularly vocal for this rivalry fixture. Brighton’s limited success at Selhurst Park in recent meetings suggests the home advantage could be significant.
With both teams comfortably clear of relegation concerns and European places still theoretically within reach, especially for Brighton, this match will be more about local pride than league position. Palace have the opportunity to complete a rare league double over Brighton following their 3-1 win in December, while Brighton will be determined to maintain their position in the top half of the table.
As with most derby matches, the emotional aspect of this fixture often proves as important as the tactical battle. The M23 derby has developed into one of the Premier League’s more intense rivalries, and Saturday’s match promises to continue that tradition.
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